1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car heads to auction

That's all right -- not too many people have seen in it the flesh in the last decade. The Lincoln Indianapolis concept was created in 1955 by Carrozzeria Boano, using the chassis and running gear from the 1955 Lincoln. The only time it was shown to the public as a new concept study was at the 1955 Turin Motor Show. And just over a month from now, RM Auctions will be selling off this head-turning concept in New York City along with 24 other distinguished cars.

The wonderful orange bodywork continues into the interior. Photo by RM Auctions

Carrozzeria Boano coachwork is more or less recognizable on this Lincoln chassis, which uses a 200 horsepower V8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Indianapolis was meant to be a design study only, so Boano felt free to indulge themselves. Practicality took a backseat role. The Indianapolis' shape is vaguely similar to the Abarth Spyder Turin show prototype, which also debuted at the 1955 Turin Motor Show but was a much smaller car in all respects. Boano used the orange color seen on this concept in a couple other design studies. The greenhouse is perhaps the most recognizable design element, and was featured in one form or another on a number of Boano-bodied Ferraris.

Elements of this design car be seen in Boano's Ferrari cars of the time. Photo by RM Auctions

Last time we saw the Lincoln Indianapolis was just over a month ago at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it previously appeared back in 2001 and took home the first place for Postwar Custom Coachwork class. We also saw it at the 2005 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in Connecticut, where it just about stole the show. Its recent appearance at Pebble, one of its few public outings, had us thinking that perhaps it would be changing hands soon as it had been a few years since it was seen at a concours event.